The influence of acculturative stress on career barriers: focusing on the moderating effects of self-esteem and peer relations among South Korea adolescents from multicultural families

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the protective factors which moderate the relationship between acculturative stress and career barriers among adolescents from multicultural families. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed with 1,207 adolescents from the 6th wave of Multicultural Adolescent Panel Study. The results indicated that acculturative stress was associated with career barriers. In addition, peer relations had a negative relationship with career barriers. Self-esteem was associated with low career barriers. Moreover, the moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between acculturative stress and career barriers was statistically significant. The results of this study provide implications for reducing and intervening career barriers among multicultural adolescents.